Youkilis, Porcello suspended 5 games each

Associated PressBoston's Kevin Youkilis reacts as he is hit by a pitch thrown by Detroit Tigers Edwin Jackson in the fourth inning at Fenway Park in Boston on Monday. Youkilis was hit again Tuesday, this time by Rick Porcello, then charged the mound

NEW YORK (AP) -- Boston's Kevin Youkilis and Detroit pitcher Rick Porcello were suspended for five games each Wednesday and fined by Major League Baseball for their roles in a benches-clearing confrontation.

The pair asked the players' union to appeal the penalties, which will be held off pending completion of the process.

MLB vice president Bob Watson cited Youkilis for charging the mound, throwing his helmet at Porcello and inciting Tuesday night's hostilities. Watson penalized Porcello for intentionally throwing pitches at Victor Martinez in the first inning and Youkilis in the second.

In addition, Detroit pitched Edwin Jackson was fined for what Watson said were aggressive actions.

Players from benches and bullpens went onto the field at Fenway Park and Youkilis tackled Porcello, but no punches were thrown. Youkilis and Porcello were ejected.

Tempers had been escalating since Monday night, when Miguel Cabrera was hit in the top of the fourth and Youkilis was plunked in the bottom half; Detroit's Brandon Inge was hit in the eighth.

On Tuesday, Cabrera was hit in the left hand in the top of the first by Junichi Tazawa. When Porcello threw an inside pitch to Martinez in the bottom, he took a few menacing steps toward the mound before returning to the batter's box.

Youkilis led off the second inning and was hit in the back with the first pitch. He dropped his bat and ran toward Porcello, missing the pitcher with his batting helmet before wrapping him up and bringing him to the ground.

Boston, trailing 3-0 at the time, tied the score later in the inning on Jason Bay's three-run homer off Chris Lambert and went on to win 7-5.